Gitzo GT3340L Review

The GT3340L is a model from Gitzo’s top of the line systematic series. It is from a more traditional design where the center column is built in as standard. As a discontinued model, this review will be brief.

Specifications

This is an abbreviated list. The full measured specs can be found here.

Weight

7.06 lbs (3.203 kgs)

Maximum Height

59.1 in (150.1 cm)

Minimum Height

21.3 in (54.1 cm)

Max Height with Center Column

73.0 in (185.4 cm)

Folded Length

23.2 in (58.9 cm)

Folded Volume

312.0 cu. in. (5.1 liters)

Leg Material

Aluminum

Leg Sections

4

Primary Leg Angle

24 deg

Leg Locks

Twist

Exchangeable Feet

Yes

Foot Type

Rubber

Bottom Hook

Yes

Retail Price

$450

The standout spec is clearly the weight. This tripod is built like a tank. It is to date the heaviest tripod I have tested. It extends quite high, especially once you factor in the center column. Its not difficult to get the camera overhead for most people.

Features

Unlike most systematic tripods, the GT3340L includes a non-removable center column. This is really useful for studio work where fast height adjustments are necessary.

Use

The usage of this tripod is not quite as smooth as the modern high end systematic tripods. The leg locks are a little slick and need to be tightened from top to bottom. There are no problems with the handling though, and it shouldn’t disappoint anyone who uses it.

Build Quality

As I said before, this tripod is a tank. I suspect it has been used for over a decade and still functions perfectly. You don’t even have to be gentle with it to get a couple more decades out of it.

Test Results

The full test data can be found here. The table below summarizes the results.

Stiffness About Vertical Axis

594 +/- 4 Nm/rad

Damping About Vertical Axis

0.289 +/- 0.029 Js/rad

Stiffness About Radial Axis

1652 +/- 7 Nm/rad

Damping About Radial Axis

0.27 +/- 0.027 Js/rad

The stiffness here is not particularly great. It is eclipsed by the modern crop of high end travel tripods. However, this tripod is much taller. When used at shorter heights that are more typical, the performance will be much better.

Summary

Pros

Inexpensive on the used market

High build quality

Cons

Heavy

Mediocre stiffness at maximum height

If you need a tripod that can support a substantial amount of weight, has a center column, is inexpensive, and won’t travel too far from your studio or car, this could be a good tripod for you. If you can find one that is.